Policing Together Oversight Group

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Independent Reference Group Finalised Arrangements
• Policing Together Progress Report – Neurodiversity
• Policy Review
• Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing

KEY ISSUES RAISED
Members of the Oversight Group considered a comprehensive report which detailed Police Scotland’s review of Independent Advisory Groups (IAG). The Oversight Group heard an update from the IAG Workshop Follow up session held in Tulliallan earlier in the day. Members were encouraged to note that this was a positive session where a wide range of topics were discussed. Members were encouraged by the progress and requested that the final structure is brought to a future PTOG.

Victor Olisa presented Police Scotland’s Maturity Continuum on becoming an Anti-Racist Organisation, advising that this is a unique Matrix in policing therefore benchmarking isn’t possible at this stage. The Oversight Group appraised the Maturity Continuum and advised it is valuable to have a tool that can measure the progress of becoming an Anti-Racist Organisation. Once fully established, Members were keen to see this used as a template to measure progress against other types of discrimination. The Oversight Group sought clarity on how Police Scotland will map activity against the Continuum and were advised that the Policing Together team will continually crosscheck activity against the recommendations.

The Oversight Group reviewed the Policing Together Progress Report which had a focus on Neurodiversity. Members received an update on the progress made by the Neurodiversity Strategic Working Group and the three strategic outcomes were detailed. Board Member Catriona Stewart, provided her reflections on the progress Police Scotland have made in this area noting that she was reassured and proud of the progress to date, adding that she felt Police Scotland’s approach has been innovative and groundbreaking. Police Scotland offered to engage SPA Forensic Services in this work which was welcomed.

Members considered an update on the processes in place to review Police
Scotland’s policies and procedures. This is in line with a commitment within Police Scotland’s Policing Together (PT) Strategy to ‘Regularly review our policies to ensure they do not contain unconscious bias.’ Members felt assured that progress is being made in this area at pace and were supportive of the Rational Decision-Making Model in use which identified the priority areas for policy review. Members were further assured that these priority areas will be reviewed by end of FY 2024/25.

The new Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing 2025-2029 and the Joint Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2025 was presented to the Oversight Group. Members were assured that the Culture Dashboard will go live as planned in April 2025. The Oversight Group endorsed the work ongoing and look forward to receiving updates on the progress of the 6 Equality Outcomes. The Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing 2025 – 2029 are on the 27 March 2025 Authority Meeting Agenda at Item 8.

Police Scotland colleagues and Oversight Group Members gave their thanks to Catriona Stewart as her tenure comes to a close at the end of March.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

• Members considered a comprehensive report which detailed Police Scotland’s review of Independent Advisory Groups (IAG).
• Members were presented with Police Scotland’s Maturity Continuum on becoming an Anti-Racist Organisation and agreed it was a valuable tool to measure the progress of becoming an Anti-Racist Organisation.
• Members noted the progress update of the Neurodiversity Strategic Working Group.
• Members felt assured that progress is being made in relation to Police Scotland policies being reviewed for discriminatory language and procedures.
• Members endorsed the work to date of the SPA and Police Scotland Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing 2025-2029 and the Joint Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2025.